DVSA driving test booking changes: new rules now in force for learners

DVSA driving test booking changes are now in force for car learners in England, Scotland and Wales. Learners must book and manage their own car driving test, can usually make only two changes, and can move a test only to nearby centres rather than any test centre.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says the rules are aimed at making the booking system fairer and reducing misuse by third-party services. They apply to car driving tests, not motorcycle, lorry, bus or other specialist tests. Northern Ireland uses a separate driving test service.

What changed on 9 June

The newest rule affects where a learner can move a booked car driving test.

When a learner books a new test, they can now move it only to one of the three nearest test centres to where the test is currently booked, or back to the test centre first booked on that current booking.

That means learners should not book a test at a centre they do not intend to use simply because an earlier slot is available. If they later try to move the test, their choices will be limited.

For bookings already in place before 9 June, DVSA says the location rule is based on where the test was booked on 9 June, not necessarily the centre first chosen when the booking was originally made.

DVSA has also published a test centre list showing which nearby centres can be used when moving a test. The agency says the nearest centres are calculated by driving distance, avoiding motorways, and that the list may change as it is improved.

The two-change limit

Since 31 March 2026, learners have been allowed to make only two changes to a car driving test booking.

A change includes moving the date or time, changing the test centre, or swapping the appointment with another learner driver who already has a test booked. If more than one detail is changed at the same time, such as the date and test centre together, DVSA says that still counts as one change.

Some updates do not count towards the limit. These include changing contact details, adding or removing a driving instructor reference number, or changes DVSA has to make itself, for example because of bad weather.

If DVSA changes a test, the learner is reset to having two changes available again, although DVSA says those extra changes can only be made by phone.

Once both changes have been used, the learner has to cancel the test and book a new one. DVSA says a full refund is available if the cancellation is made at least 10 full working days before the test date.

Who can book, change or cancel a test

Learners now have to book their own car driving test on GOV.UK. Driving instructors are not allowed to book, change, cancel or swap a car driving test for a pupil.

DVSA says it is against the law to book a driving test for someone else. The same restriction applies to changing, cancelling or swapping another person’s car driving test.

A friend, family member, instructor or support worker can still help someone through the process, but the learner must be present and should complete as much of the booking as they can themselves.

Instructors can still advise pupils on whether they are ready to take a test. They can also manage their availability so the booking system can check whether they are free if a learner adds their instructor reference number.

Tests already booked by instructors before the rule change remain valid. DVSA says instructors should give pupils the test reference number so they can manage the booking themselves.

Cancellation apps and unofficial services

Learners are not allowed to use unofficial services that scan the DVSA booking service for appointments. DVSA says this includes driving test cancellation finder websites or apps.

The official booking service can still be used to look for an earlier appointment, sometimes called a cancellation appointment. The restriction is on unofficial services that scan the booking system or manage bookings outside DVSA’s terms and conditions.

DVSA says it monitors the booking service. If a test is booked or managed in a way that breaks the terms and conditions, the agency can suspend online access for that driving licence number or cancel the booking.

If online access is restricted, the learner may still be able to book, change or cancel by phone. DVSA says an existing test should still go ahead as planned unless the booking itself is cancelled.

What learners should do before booking

Learners should speak to their instructor before booking to check whether they are ready and whether the instructor is available.

They should choose a test centre they genuinely intend to use. The new location rule means moving far across the country and then switching back later may not be possible.

They should also choose a date they realistically expect to be ready for, because the two-change limit gives less room to keep moving an appointment.

The official test fee remains lower than many resale prices reported around unofficial services. DVSA has said learners should only pay the official fee: £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Anyone who has used an unofficial service before should keep a close eye on their booking and contact DVSA if they receive a message saying their online access has been restricted.

What could change next

The rules are now in force, but the practical options shown to a learner can still depend on the test centre they have booked and the number of changes left on that booking.

DVSA says its online service will show the available options when a learner changes a test. The nearby-centre list may also be updated, so learners should check GOV.UK before moving, cancelling or swapping an appointment.

This article should be reviewed when DVSA updates its booking guidance, changes the nearby-centre list, or announces any further rule changes affecting car driving tests.